Welcome back to The Beat Digest, a twice-weekly round-up of the biggest comics-related news stories we’ve missed every Tuesday and Friday. Is there a story out there you think we should cover? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
§ Marvel and the US Tennis Association are giving away a comic starring the Fantastic Four and pioneering tennis player Althea Gibson. Tying into this year’s US Open theme, Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers, the comic follows the Four as they learn about the life of Gibson, who, in 1950, became the first Black tennis player to compete at the US National Championships. Further details on the comic, which marks Marvel and the US Open’s second annual collaboration, were not disclosed, although it features a cover by Todd Nauck. It is available this week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, while stocks last.
§ In other Marvel-related news, Down the Tubes reports the original art for the title page of The Amazing Spider-Man #27, by Steve Ditko (1965), has been stolen. Albert Moy, the dealer who owned the artwork, is offering a $20,000 reward for its safe return, “with no questions asked and no repercussions,” and police and auction houses have been notified. You can help by contacting Moy’s lawyer at michael.f.finn[at]gmail.com. Moy was previously the victim of art theft in 2007, when 11 pieces were stolen at Fan Expo Chicago. Since then, 10 of those artworks have been safely retrieved and returned to him.
§ Via AIPT, AHOY announced Death Dog, a two-part sci-fi comedy by writer Bryce Ingman (My Bad) and artist Alan Robinson (New Fantastic Four). Debuting November 5, the comic is set in a near future filled with cybernetic dogs, and where children work instead of attending school. It follows Wyatt, a 13-year old who’s pursued by one of the aforementioned hounds after being falsely accused of shoplifting, only to gain a loyal pet “when a strange event turns one of these relentless machines into a friendly, fiercely protective robodog — becoming Wyatt’s unlikely ally in a society that’s abandoned its children.”
§ Avery Hill Publishing launched a Kickstarter (that’s already fulfiled its goal) for The Corus Wave, the debut graphic novel of Karenza Sparks. A fossil-themed adventure, the book follows an MA student as she uncovers the secrets of a 19th century polymath. Furthermore, the British publisher announced an exhibition of its books, that will run at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, from October 18, to April 26, 2026: you can find out more here.
§ DC dropped a third and final, red band trailer for Peacemaker season two ahead of its premiere on HBO Max this Thursday. By the way, you can read our review of the season here.
§ Via The Hollywood Reporter, Kristen Wiig has joined the cast of the new Masters of the Universe movie. She will voice Roboto, a mechanical hero built by Man-at-Arms (played in the film by Idris Elba), taking on a role traditionally played by men in the animated MOTU series. Masters of the Universe, starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, (at the time of writing) Jared Leto as Skeletor, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, will be released in theaters on June 5, 2026.
§ Following last week’s reports Boyd Holbrook had been cast in the Extraction series, Netflix has confirmed he and Natalie Dormer will co-star on the show. Extraction, a spin-off of the Chris Hemsworth films based on the graphic novel Ciudad, will star Omar Sy as a mercenary on a rescue mission in Libya. Deadline adds Dormer will play Clayton Wisper, the leader of a private military contractor. It is unknown when the eight-part series will premiere.
§ Finally, is Deadpool in Avengers: Doomsday or not? Conflicting reports arose after Ryan Reynolds shared fan art on social media, presumably teasing his return: THR‘s newsletter Heat Vision says he will appear, though we shouldn’t “expect him to actually be joining the Avengers team,” while Deadline states Reynolds has not been on set, and that there are no plans for him to join Secret Wars either. That could very well change, but we’ll know for sure when Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026, or when Secret Wars follows on December 17, 2027.
